A Letter for Bear

by David Lucas

"As remarkable a writer as he is an illustrator."—Publishers Weekly

Poor Bear, who will send him a letter? Come rain or shine, he works so hard delivering the post to all the animals of the wood but he never receives anything himself. Hardly surprising since he's never actually sent a message! One day Bear decides to write some mail of his own, inviting all the forest animals to a party.

David Lucas is a well-loved British illustrator and writer whose fairy tales and folk stories have enchanted children and adults for years.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Holiday, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2013

About the author

David Lucas has written and illustrated several books for children and was named a Booktrust Best New Illustrator. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Alex Sarll]

Basically the same as Marvel's Infinity Warps concept, except instead of combining two superheroes they've combined me with my postman friend Ben.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually I'd give 5 stars for illustration and book production - this is an exquisite book to look at and hold - but only 3 stars for the story; about a bear postman who doesn't receive any post himself. This theme has been done better by others (eg Lobel), but it's still a good one to share in the run up to Christmas and writing Christmas cards.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story about reaching out to get friends. I won't use it for storytimes because of its mention of Christmas, but others might.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a major Aha! about receiving what you wish to receive in life.

Ask yourself, "Have I ever given this kind of thing to anybody else yet?" In this story, BEAR learns about how that principle works.

Bear feels lonely. Although he delivers the mail, personally, he never gets letters. So he writes "a whole snowstorm of letters" to invite others to his Christmas party.

The party was a huge success, and soon he was receiving mail, as well. Wait until you see how Bear transforms his Christmas tree!

FIVE STARS for a beautifully written and illustrated parable about friendship, by David Lucas.

[Lewis Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books conveys that by taking an extra step and initiating conversation with others, you are able to form connections which you otherwise would not find. The beginning of the story shows how hiding in your own bubble does not achieve as much as putting yourself out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the art and design. Love the theme that reminds us to solve our problems instead of whining about them (even though Lobel's Frog & Toad, and others, have covered this already). Not sure about sending letters in the 21st century... we should, and kids should learn about them, but realistically, it's a suspension of disbelief I'm not ready to make).

[Austria Kovalenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this little book by Flying Eye Books! Great illustrations - clear and kept to its colours well, as well as adding patterns here and there for extra touch to the flow of the story.
And the story, written well, is great! Sweet and friendly. I suggest every parent reads this to their children.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear was a postman who delivered letters to all the animals in the forest, but he never received a letter from anyone. One day the wind blew causing the letters in his mail pouch to fall into the snow. This one action led to a happenstance that would change Bear's life forever.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awwwwww.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this wonderful little gem of a book. I agree with the other reviewer, it has amazing production values. But for me, I thought the story was touching and simple. This is my perfect Christmas stocking gift!

[Jan Polep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't like getting a letter from a friend? Poor Bear, the woodland postman, delivers the letters but never gets any. Fun holiday read with lots to see on each page and the additional kicker that maybe kids will be nudged into writing letters to their friends and relatives all year round.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book shows that the best way to make friends is to be a friend yourself, not in that obvious of a way, but great discussion starter. neat cover with glossy red print contrasted with thick paper stuff. very small words, small book, otherwise I'd read it at storytime.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A not-very-expressive bear delivers letters, but never gets any himself. He throws a party. All the animals come and then write him thank you letters.

The book itself is lovely, however the story was too simple for me to imagine a child wanting to reread it.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved the illustrations, and the story is simple yet insightful about how reaching out to make friends can make one's life more meaningful. Sage advice about the importance of creating and maintaining the relationships in one's life.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet. Unsure if we should catalog this as a holiday book though (Christmas-time)

[Emma]

Great illustrations/style!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and simple for the younger ones, and a nice choice for a Christmastime read-aloud.

[CharityJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art and the story are precious. This would be a sweet read for the holidays.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations but the story was surprisingly too stressful for me! Poor bear!

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear delivers the mail, but never receives any mail himself until . . . he throws a special Christmas party. Cute, but not very memorable.

[Emily Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

E book